Legal Definitions - quid pro quo sexual harassment

Quid pro quosexual harassment is a type of employment discrimination where a person in a position of power demands sexual favors in exchange for a job benefit or threatens negative consequences if the sexual demands are not met.

For example, if a boss tells an employee that they will only receive a promotion if they go on a date with them, that is quid pro quo sexual harassment. Another example is if a professor tells a student that they will only receive a passing grade if they engage in sexual activity with them.

These examples illustrate the definition because in both cases, the person in power is using their position to demand sexual favors in exchange for something the victim wants or needs. This creates a hostile work or academic environment and can have serious consequences for the victim's career or education.